Plan Your Visit
Below is an online resource to help you plan your stay at KML. Here we have provided an up-to-date list with directions to the lab from the nearest airports, locations of grocery and drug stores, some local attractions for those windy (off-water) days, and what you should bring from home to make your stay more enjoyable.
Please contact us, if you have any questions regarding your stay that we do not have answered here.
Refer to the FORMS page on our website for up-to-date KML Rate Sheet and pricing tool. Also check out our Information and Overview of KML and also Guidelines & Field Lab Etiquette documents before your arrival.
Directions to KML
NEAREST AIRPORTS – Map
- EYW – Key West International Airport: 66 miles, 1.75 hours drive time.
- MIA – Miami International Airport: 93 miles, approx 2 hours drive time.
- FLL – Fort Lauderdale International: 118 miles, approx 2.5 hours drive time.
What to Bring?
What to pack will depend on your group’s objectives. Please contact us with any questions.
Below is a basic list for groups coming down to spend time with us on the water:
- Your Bathing Suit – you will probably want a few if you will be in the water on a daily basis.
- Beach Towel(s)- KML provides a bath towel, make sure you take a beach/boat towel. You may want a few if you will be in the water every day.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, UPF Sun-shirt – the sun can be pretty intense down here, be prepared!.
- Dry bag for on the boat – keep your important stuff dry on the water.
- Water bottle – Stay hydrated! Swimming makes you thirsty. Reusable bottles are preferred to minimize waste.
Where to get Supplies?
GROCERIES
Both our dorms and long term housing have fully equipped kitchens so you can cook for your group while you are here. However, like nearly everything in the Keys, Groceries are a 20 minute drive from nearly where ever you are, so it helps to plan your grocery trips ahead to make the most of your time at KML.
Click here to see these on a map.
MARATHON (South of KML):
- Publix – MM 50 oceanside.
- Winn Dixie – MM 50 oceanside.
TAVERNIER (North of KML):
- Winn Dixie – MM 89 bayside.
KEY LARGO (North of KML):
- Publix – mm 102 oceanside.
DRUG STORES
- Walgreen’s in Key Largo – mm 99, north of KML
- CVS in Islamorada – mm 82.8 bayside, north of KML
- CVS in Marathon – mm 50 oceanside, next to WinnDixie, south of KML.
- Walgreen’s in Marathon – mm 53 bayside, south of KML.
RESTAURANTS
For those nights when no one feels like cooking, or you just want a fantastic dinner at one of the Key’s many great restaurants, there are a number of excellent places to eat within 20 miles the lab in either direction. Check out the directory of restaurants at the Chambers of Commerce below or ask any of our staff members for a unofficial recommendation.
MARATHON (South of KML):
- Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce – Restaurants
ISLAMORADA (North of KML):
- Islamorada Chamber of Commerce – Restaurants
KEY LARGO (North of KML):
- Key Largo Chamber of Commerce – Restaurants
BIG PINE KEY (South of KML):
- Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce – Restaurants
Local Attractions
Some days you just can’t get on the water due to the weather or you may just want to do some sightseeing. Here is a list of some of the wonderful on-shore attractions in the Keys.
Click here to see these on a map.
- Bahia Honda State Park: MM 37, south of KML.
- Turtle Hospital: MM 48.5, south of KML.
- Sombrero Beach: MM 50, south of KML in Marathon, turn by the Publix.
- Crane Point Museum, Nature Center, & Historic Site: MM 50, south of KML, across the road from Publix.
- Curry Hammock State Park: MM 56, south of KML.
- Dolphin Research Center: MM 58, south of KML.
- Long Key State Park: MM 67.5, walking distance from KML.
- Anne’s Beach: MM 71, north of KML over the channel 5 and 2 bridges.
- Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park: MM 77, you need to take a boat out to the island.
- Indian Key Historical State Park: MM 77, you need to take a boat, canoe, or kayak out to the island.
- Diving Museum: MM 83, north of KML.
- Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park: MM 85, north of KML.
- Wild Bird Center: MM 93, north of KML.
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park: MM 103, north of KML.
- And, of course, Key West: at MM 0; 1.5 hour drive from KML
